Lifeguard Training

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Lifeguard Training

American Red Cross Lifeguard Training courses are offered at The Y. Take your certification anywhere in the USA or apply for a job within you own local Y! Your lifeguard certification is valid for 2 years, and you must re-certify before your certification expires or you will be required to retake the full class. We offer multiple recertification classes throughout the year.

Cost:

Y Members: $225/participant ($25 Non-Refundable Fee for Required Prerequisite Testing + $200 Lifeguard Course Fee)

Non-Members: $275/participant ($25 Non-Refundable Fee for Required Prerequisite Testing + $250 Lifeguard Course Fee)

Cost for Recertification: $100 for Y Members (Non-Refundable) / $150 for Non-Members (Non-Refundable)

Job Opportunities:

Upon successful completion of the Lifeguard course, should you choose to work at any of the YMCA of East Tennessee locations as a lifeguard, we will refund your lifeguard course fee after six months of employment.

Prerequisites:

  • 15 years of age on or before the final day of the course
  • All participants MUST register for and complete an in-water swimming test before registering for the full lifeguarding course.  The pre-test consists of:
    • 300 Yard swim using the Front Crawl and Breast Stroke with Rhythmic Breathing
    • 10 lb brick retrieval from deep water in less than 1 minute, 40 seconds
    • Tread water for 2 minutes without arm support
  • All participants MUST complete online learning prior to attending the lifeguarding course.  The online learning will be assigned once the swimming pre-test has been passed.  If the online pre-work is not complete before the start of class, the participant will unable to attend the course.  The online learning takes approximately 8 hours to complete.
  • Recertification class participants will be required to complete a pre-requisite swim test. For recertification, your certification cannot be expired for more than 30 days.

2023 Lifeguard Training Class Dates & Location

Jan 21-22 Cansler (Re-cert only)
Feb 17-19 Davis Y
Mar 3-5 Pilot Family Y
March 13-15 Tennova Y
Mar 30- April 1 Cansler Y
April 15-16 Davis (Re-cert only)
April 21-23 Pilot Family Y
April 27-29 Tennova Family Y
May 5-7 Davis Y
May 18-20 Cansler Y
June 2-4 Pilot Family Y
June 15-17 Tennova Family Y
August 18-20 Pilot Family Y
September 15-17 Davis Y
October 5-7 Cansler Y
December 8-10 Pilot Family Y

Register for Lifeguarding

To register for a lifeguarding class, find and register for the swimming pre-test for your desired class. After successful completion of the in-water pre-test, you will then be able to register for the full class and will be assigned online learning to complete independently prior to your class. Registration for the pre-test may be completed online, over the phone, or at the member services counter at your Y.

  • Cansler Y: 865-637-9622
  • Pilot Family Y: 865-690-9622
  • Tennova Family YMCA: 865-922-9622
  • Davis Y: 865-777-9622

Lifeguard Registration

Click the link below and find your desired program to Register.

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